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Much of Real Madrid’s European campaign, and therefore the entire season, is at stake ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Stadio Giuseppe Meazza for a Champions League showdown against Inter.
A victory would be a great advantage for Los Blancos, who currently rank third with four points, in an extremely tight group where everything is to be played. Zidane’s side secured all three points against the Nerazzurri in Madrid in what was a much-needed uprising, but if they stumble again the consequences could be dire. These are the seven key factors of this fundamental game in the Real Madrid season.
Recover defensive solidity
Not long ago, Real Madrid’s success was based on its defensive strength. In the season following Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure to Juventus, Zidane channeled the Italian influence from his playing days at Juve, and the new focus on defensive end offset the decline in offensive production in Cristiano’s absence.
In the first full season of his second stint as head coach, Zidane’s team conceded just 43 goals in 51 games, an average of 0.8 per game. This season, they have already entered 17 in 12 games, an average of 1.4 per game. The difference is clear, but the responsibility is not just on the defense, but on the entire team to push more consistently.
Solve their problems in front of the goal.
Real Madrid are struggling at the other end of the field as well, averaging just 1.8 goals per game this season, which is slightly higher than average goals conceded, which is an obvious concern.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure continues to be felt strongly, and only Karim Benzema has been able to add convincing scoring numbers since Cristiano left the club. The French striker can be trusted, but he is not enough and no other attacker has stepped forward to help fill the void left by the Portuguese forward, evidenced by the fact that Sergio Ramos is the next top scorer in the era. post-Christian, something that needs to change.
Return of key men
Real Madrid played at Villarreal without Sergio Ramos, Casemiro and Karim Benzema, three important pieces in their system. The latter two have a good chance of making the match in Milan, but the presence of Ramos is more unlikely.
His absence was deeply felt both in attack and defense at the Estadio de la Cerámica, and having at least one or two of them available against Inter could make all the difference.
Chelsea Hazard
Injuries have prevented the Belgian winger from replicating his Chelsea form in a Real Madrid jersey, but the qualities he has and his ability to make a difference are well known. If Hazard could start to become the player he was expected to be when he joined Los Blancos in the summer of 2019, it would go a long way toward alleviating Real Madrid’s troubles.
Carvajal’s competitiveness
The best news Los Blancos has had in recent weeks has been the return of Dani Carvajal to the right side of the defense. His winning mentality and aggressive play on both ends of the field are much needed, especially in the absence of Sergio Ramos.
Beware of penalties
We have mentioned the defensive problems of Real Madrid and part of that is the ease with which they have conceded penalties, four in the last two games, and all of them with goals against Courtois, who is not exactly a specialist in this department. .
For context, Los Blancos only conceded two penalties last season, although Courtois did save one of them, and clearly getting back to that strength would be helpful.
The self-esteem of a dynasty
Many of the players taking to the pitch on Wednesday will be the same as they did just over two years ago in Kiev, when Real Madrid lifted their 13th European Cup with a win over Liverpool.
That experience and the close road to that final should serve this group well for Inter. It would do them good to remember what they have accomplished and regain some of the self-esteem they have earned in this competition.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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